Drake stages an unexpected 'Degrassi' reunion in his 'I'm Upset' video, and fans are loving it

As all Drake fans know, before Drake was Drake, God’s plan had him playing basketball star Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation. The rapper has not forgotten his roots; he is now delighting fans with a full-on Degrassi reunion in the new video for his single “I’m Upset.”

There’s not much to be upset about in this clip (watch below), which features a mind-boggling slate of cameos from Drake’s former co-stars. All the fun is executed via the cute conceit of the rapper (who was known as Aubrey Graham back then) getting a notification on his phone that his high school reunion is later that day… and we’re off.

He meets up with Gavin “Spinner” Mason (Shane Kippel), and from there it’s a full-on walk down memory lane, as we encounter the class of 2007. Kippel’s cameo is just the tip of the iceberg: Stacey Farber, Adamo Ruggiero, Lauren Collins, Jake Epstein, Christina Schmidt, Nina Dobrev, and even Ephraim Ellis (who shot Drake’s character and put him in a wheelchair) all make appearances.

Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith also turn up as Jay and Silent Bob, and the video ends by rolling credits that juxtapose clips from the video with clips from the original show, as well as the original theme song.

Thanks to @Drake for letting me & @JayMewes go back to @Degrassi one more time in the most transgressive (and expensive) ep of Next Generation ever made! Loved it! But you & Karena melted my heart with the then-&-now cast credits and theme song ending! https://t.co/eYOlNdzDZO

Drake appeared on 145 episodes of the Canadian TV show from 2001 to 2008. The series has a four-decade run and a long history of tackling serious subjects, including abortion, AIDS, and gun violence, in a straightforward and non-condescending manner for teens to absorb.